NEW YORK, NY — Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children’s publishing, education and media company, recently announced the recipients of the 2013 READ 180® and System 44® Outstanding Educator Awards. This award, now in its seventh year, recognizes four exceptional teachers who have proven that it is never too late to turn around the academic path for struggling students and help them achieve success. This year’s Outstanding Educators have accelerated the progress of their students enrolled in READ 180 and System 44, the blended learning programs proven to raise reading achievement for struggling students in grades 3–12, and have helped them overcome both personal and academic obstacles. The students taught by these educators have shown significant growth in one year and have become enthusiastic readers who are able to tackle more complex texts.
“At Scholastic we know that with the right support and tools, every teacher can be a ‘Force Multiplier’, making an exponential positive impact on their students’ lives,” said Margery Mayer, President of Scholastic Education. “We are thrilled to celebrate these four outstanding educators and commend them for their unwavering dedication to their students.”
The Outstanding Educator nominations are carefully reviewed by a Scholastic committee that takes into account not only the reading growth of each teacher’s class, but also nomination statements from colleagues and students detailing the impact the nominated educator has had on a school, classroom, or personal level. The Outstanding Educators will each receive a $1,200 check, an all-expense-paid trip to Scholastic headquarters in New York City, and a commemorative plaque. Additionally, the educators who nominated the 2013 Outstanding Educator Award winners will receive a READ 180 Xtra Collection for their classrooms.
The 2013 READ 180 Outstanding Educator from Westfield is Dan Kane from Franklin Avenue Elementary School.
A veteran teacher, Mr. Kane has worked with struggling students for the past 30 years, though last year marked his first teaching READ 180. After being hand-picked by the principal of his school to head the READ 180 program, Mr. Kane set to work, ambitiously organizing a daily schedule of one System 44 class and two READ 180 classes and transforming his classroom into a vibrant and inviting learning environment. He even purchased books for students to take home so they could nurture their love of reading outside of school hours and build their personal collections.
“It is almost impossible to put into words the energy, organization, and vitality that are a daily part of Mr. Kane’s READ 180 classroom,” wrote the principal who nominated him. “He encourages students to believe in themselves as learners and in their abilities to improve.”
In the first few months that Mr. Kane taught System 44, one-third of the students had made enough progress to move on to READ 180. The students placing out of Mr. Kane’s class were the first to tell the incoming students how lucky they were to have Mr. Kane as a teacher. “I hope I will make the honor roll in middle school, and I bet I can because of Mr. Kane’s help,” wrote one student in his nomination. This success is only the beginning for Mr. Kane, who added another System 44 class to his schedule in January.
Dan’s story is a testament to the incredible influence a teacher can have on the lives of his or her students. Though he’s taught for the past 30 years, last year was Dan’s first teaching READ 180. In just one year, his students have seen tremendous progress—both academic and personal—and credit their success to Dan.
“I hope I will make the honor roll in middle school, and I bet I can because of Mr. Kane’s help,” wrote one student in his nomination.
Dan’s dedication to the improvement of his students’ performance will be recognized with a check for $1,200, an all-expense-paid trip to Scholastic headquarters in New York City, and a commemorative plaque.
